Environmental Groups – Food
The Sustainable Food Center connects local farmers to
local schools and school cafeterias to supply fresh produce
Austin Organic Gardeners
Mary Kraemer (512) 944-0200
E-Mail: AustinOrganicGardeners
Net: austinorganicgardeners.
Purpose: 2025 will mark the 80th anniversary of Austin Organic Gardeners! Since 1945, our members have shared information about successfully raising vegetables and ornamentals without using harsh fertilizers that harm the soil and toxic pesticides that disturb the ecological balance. The club’s philosophy is that human and animal health depends on the health of the soil that produces their food. Healthy soil, which is rich in organic matter, abounds with organisms that convert minerals in the soil into forms plants can use. The well-nourished plants growing in these soils are better able to defend themselves against attacks from insects, diseases, and other pests.
Projects/Activities: Monthly meetings, with guest speakers; exchange of gardening experiences and plants.
Meetings: 2nd Monday of the month, 6:30–9 PM, Zilker Garden Center, Austin. (No meeting December.)
Volunteer Opportunities: Staff organic gardening information booths at Zilker Garden Festival, the annual organic vegetable and herb transplant sale, and selected other community events. Opportunities to serve on the club board are also available.
Fruitful Commons
1217 Alegria Rd.
Austin, TX 78757
Angie Holliday (512) 217-5010
E-mail: admin@fruitfulcommons.org
Net: fruitfulcommons.org
Instagram: instagram.com/fruitfulcommons
Facebook: facebook.com/FruitfulCommons
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/fruitful-commons
Purpose: Fruitful Commons advances collaborative, equitable, and regenerative community agriculture to promote health and sustainability across the Austin region. By supporting food forests and community gardens, the organization empowers communities to create thriving green spaces addressing food insecurity and environmental stewardship. Partnering with neighborhood leaders, schools, the City of Austin, and faith-based organizations, Fruitful Commons fosters sustainable community commons inspiring connection, resilience, and shared abundance. The nonprofit envisions a future where every neighborhood enjoys vibrant spaces reconnecting people to growing food, nature, and each other.
Projects/Activities: We provide fiscal sponsorship for groups growing food on public or private land. The Gathering of Growers workshop series teaches project leaders skills for regenerative agriculture, water management, governance, and related topics. The Tree Care Mini Grant Program (sponsored by the City of Austin Urban Forest Grant) funds local nonprofits, schools, or community-serving groups to expand Austin’s urban canopy and uplift environmental stewardship. Projects include Festival Beach Food Forest, Friends of Grand Meadow, Central Texas Seed Savers, and Cuernavaca Community Garden.
Newsletter: mailchi.mp/fruitfulcommons/fruitful-commons-newsletter-signup
Green Corn Project
P.O. Box 49468
Austin, TX 78765
E-Mail: greencornproject@usa.net
Net: greencornproject.org
Purpose: Green Corn Project installs gardens and provides expertise for families and individuals as well as at schools and other community organizations. We provide materials, know-how and volunteers to help those with lack of access to affordable, healthy food grow some of their own vegetables and herbs. Following the garden installation or replanting, GCP supports our gardeners with advice, materials and help as needed between seasons. For gardeners that are able to do the planting themselves, GCP provides ongoing material support including seeds, plants and compost. We turn unused land into garden beds that provide food, education and a sense of accomplishment and pride for our volunteers and gardeners.
Projects/Activities: Spring and Fall Dig-Ins (garden building), seed starting workshops and Dig-in Leader Training; “Cook Globally, Grow Locally” Fall Festival at Boggy Creek Farm.
Volunteer Opportunities: Dig-in volunteers; no experience necessary. During Dig-In events held each spring and fall, volunteers work with a trained Dig-In Leader and garden recipients to build gardens. GCP provides free training for volunteers wanting to learn more about organic gardening and lead garden installations.
Newsletters/Publications: Quarterly.
Dues: Donations by mail or on Web site.
Sustainable Food Center
2921 E. 17th Street, Building C
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 236-0074
E-mail: info@sustainablefoodcenter.org
Net: sustainablefoodcenter.org
Facebook: facebook.com/SustainableFoodCenter
Instagram: instagram.com/sfclocal/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/sustainable-food-center
Purpose: Sustainable Food Center is on a mission to transform the Texas food system to nourish our health, land, and livelihood. SFC cultivates a healthy community by supporting local farmers and improving access to nutritious, affordable food.
Projects/Activities:
• Double Up Food Bucks Texas:
SFC is the statewide lead of Double Up Food Bucks Texas, a program with over 60 participating locations. The program doubles SNAP benefits $1 for $1, helping families access fresh fruits and vegetables while supporting Texas farmers and local economies. You can find participating farmers’ markets, farm stands, mobile markets, and grocery stores across Texas.
• SFC Farmers’ Markets:
SFC hosts weekly farmers’ markets featuring more local farmers than anywhere else in Austin. Visit us every Saturday, 9 AM–1 PM:
SFC Farmers’ Market Downtown: 422 Guadalupe St.
SFC Farmers’ Market at Sunset Valley: 3200 Jones Rd.
See more at: sustainablefoodcenter.org/farmers-markets-support
• The Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre®: This nationally recognized cooking and nutrition education program nurtures skills in food selection and preparation. Our free, six-week courses are taught in English and Spanish.
Newsletters/Publications: Sign up for SFC’s bimonthly newsletter to receive updates on cooking classes, farmers’ markets, food access programs, Texas agriculture, and action alerts: secure.sustainablefoodcenter.org/a/sfc-newsletter-signup
Texas Center for Local Food
201 North Main ST
Elgin, TX 78621.
Sue Beckwith (512) 496-1244
E-Mail: AskMe@texaslocalfood.org
Net: TexasLocalFood.org
Facebook: facebook.com/texaslocalfood
Instagram: texaslocalfood
Purpose: Food touches everything! We believe Texans want to eat food grown in Texas and that’s healthy for our planet. We provide consultation and technical assistance to schools, communities, and organizations to help them incorporate food systems into their work, create markets for Texas-grown food and develop infrastructure to support access to it.
We are a small and scrappy organization focused on action that creates durable systems change. We’d love to have you or your organization as a member. Please contact us for rates and specific technical assistance services.
Projects/Activities: Farm-to-Kids After School Program for K-5; Local Food Resource Directory.
Volunteer Opportunities: To volunteer: (1) review our projects on our Web site; and (2) e-mail your letter of interest to e-mail address above. We work with professors and instructors to support student credit for work on our projects.
Newsletters/Publications: Join on Web site to get Member Newsletter.
Dues: $20 year/Supporter; $100 year/Organizations.
Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (TOFGA)
1451 John West Rd.
Dallas, TX 75228
(512) 656-2456
E-mail: info@tofga.org
Net: tofga.org
Purpose: TOFGA is a statewide nonprofit educational and support organization for producers, manufacturers, consumers and organic supporters.
Projects/Activities: Our annual winter conference includes pre-conference workshops, farm tours, workshops, talks, technical assistance and FUN! The conference is open to current and aspiring farmers, gardeners, ranchers, land stewards, and other producers. Workshops are organized into five tracks: Specialty Crops; Livestock; Community & Policy; Business and Marketing; and Farmers Market.
Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers are the backbone of this organization. They staff booths, help organize and facilitate workshops and conferences, give local talks, help develop publications, and assist with fundraising.
Newsletters/Publications: The TOFGA Monthly Newsletter provides information on events, activities, products, services, and general news about TOFGA happenings and the organic farming industry.
Dues: $45/Individual; $85/Farm and Ranch; $165/Business.
Fundraising
EarthShare of Texas
P.O. Box 1911
Austin, TX 78767
Emma Cravey (512) 472-5518
FAX: (512) 472-4930
E-mail: estx@earthshare-texas.org
Net: earthshare-texas.org
Purpose: An umbrella fundraising organization that raises money for environmental and conservation organizations that protect public health and our air, land, water and wildlife. EarthShare of Texas represents more than 70 local, state, national, and international environmental organizations in payroll contribution plans and other corporate partnerships across Texas.
Contact us to learn how you can help start a giving program in your workplace.
Partial List of Groups: Audubon Foundation of Texas, Austin Parks Foundation, BikeTexas Education Fund, Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems, Clean Water Fund of Texas, Colorado River Alliance, Ecology Action of Texas, Hill Country Conservancy, National Wildlife Federation, Public Citizen of Texas, Save Barton Creek Association, Sierra Club Foundation, State of Texas Alliance for Recycling, Sustainable Food Center, Texas Solar Energy Society, TreeFolks, Wildflower Donor, Inc.
Volunteer Opportunities: Office assistance.
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